Thursday, January 31, 2013

Whether you’re having heavy appetizers or a full sit-down dinner, choosing the food for your wedding can be a difficult task, particularly if you have a big crowd. For a Valentine’s Day wedding, though, you have the option of including some fun twists on the traditional fare.
There are infinite ways to draw from this holiday, but here are a few ideas to inspire you:

Think geographically - If you and your fiancé grew up in different areas, consider incorporating signature foods from your respective home states. For example, mini crab cake appetizers could represent a Maryland-born bride, while lobster bisque would highlight a groom’s Maine heritage.

Get personal – Where was your first Valentine’s Day with your beloved? What did you two eat? Do you have a food you traditionally share on this day? For example, you could offer appetizers from the restaurant at which you met or were engaged, or serve the wine you two shared at your first Valentine’s Day meal.

Make it romantic – Consider including traditional aphrodisiacs in your main meal or as appetizers, such as oysters, asparagus, almonds, avocado, bananas or figs.

Don’t forget the drinks – Add some Valentine-themed beverages to your menu such as the popular pink cosmopolitan, champagne cocktail, chocolate martini, or even better, the Happily Ever After, a beverage usually made with peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and ginger ale.

Add some to your invites – Hearken back to the days of elementary school by adding some candy hearts or chocolates to your invitations or thank you cards. Guests will surely appreciate the sweets, and it’s also a great way to incorporate the Valentine’s tradition into your wedding stationery.

Valentine’s Day Wedding Desserts

Nowadays, many brides and grooms are doing away with the traditional three-tiered cake in favor of cupcakes or even pies and candy. It’s your wedding, so choose a dessert that you and your beloved will enjoy, whether it’s a hot fudge sundae or tiramisu. If you decide against cake but want the traditional top layer for your first wedding anniversary, you can have a smaller one made and saved. To give any of these a Valentine’s Day twist, you can always add a splash of pink or red.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Pink whipped cream for sundaes

Heart-shaped cookies

Red sprinkles on cupcakes

Pink and white French macaroons

Red, white, and pink frosted cake balls

Strawberries and cream or chocolate fondue

All of these add just a little flair without overwhelming the dessert bar. Keeping colors muted to soft pinks and reds is also a way to make the romantic touch a bit more subtle.

These are just a few food ideas for your Valentine’s Day wedding. Regardless of whether you go with pink cocktails or Oysters Rockefeller, designing and testing the menu for your big day is sure to be fun, not to mention delicious!